We've compiled a collection of all sorts of advice and resources for you to browse now there's time to spend in new ways.
A leaflet from Dr Jennifer Bute, the author of Dementia from the Inside: A doctor's personal journey of hope (SPCK, 2018) and a retired GP who is living with dementia, contains some helpful advice for relatives and friends and caring for someone with the condition.
Though written before complete lockdown, the basic principles remain relevant. It should help reassure people at a time of heightened anxiety, and is free to download here.
Jennifer Bute co-authored Dementia from the Inside with Louise Morse of the Pilgrim's Friend Society.
Louise's latest blog is well worth reading if you, or anyone you know, is struggling with the enforced isolation. Read her advice here on staying well mentally while alone.
Picking up on the words of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, this week that ‘disconnection destroys us’, she says ,'Yet here we are, millions of us, isolating ourselves to prevent the spread of the disease even from our families, while at the same time being bombarded with horrifying headlines. So it’s no surprise that many people are feeling anxious, while those already struggling with anxiety and depression are affected even more.'
King David
'But it doesn’t have to be like this. There are things we can do, some seemingly simple, but with known, powerful effects. The clearest and best was written by King David, hundreds of years ago. He knew what it was to experience isolation, betrayal, persecution, attempted murder and more. He wrote:
‘When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, your consolations delight my soul.’
Psalm 94:19 (NASB)
'David remembered all that God had promised, all he had done, and all that he was.' She goes on to list some consolations, everyday approaches within our grasp, which may help to heal our souls during the present emergency.
Prayers
For last Sunday's National Day of Prayer, untold numbers of householders placed candles in their windows at the appointed time of 7.00 pm in defiance of the threat posed by coronavirus.
The candles symbolised Christ's light in the darkness of our current circumstances.
Lambeth Palace are updating prayer resources regularly on the Archbishop of Canterbury's website. There are prayers and intercessions for personal or group use, special prayers for use now that it isn’t possible to meet in church, and a simple form of prayer for the morning and evening, which can be downloaded, printed and shared with those remaining at home or who are unable to access the Internet.
Support
The many ways in which The Bible Reading Fellowship (BRF) is here to help you through troubled times are detailed in this latest update. From activities for children from our Barnabas in Schools initiative, and how to support teenagers thanks to colleagues engaged with Parenting for Faith, through to different ways communities can survive and thrive from the Messy Church team – there are all sorts of ways we can be helped to focus on the positives in the current climate.
Music
The therapeutic effects of music are well known, and a top prize for the most uplifting project in these past days must go to the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra.
The musicians reacted to the cancellation of an upcoming tour to the United States because of coronavirus by recording Beethoven's Ninth Symphony from their own homes.
It is quite beautiful and a testimony to the resilience, ingenuity and nobility of the human spirit. You may watch their performance here.
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